Holiday Activities with Food (HAF) programme in Cheshire West and Chester. – Is now open

A full list of all activities is available on the Holiday Activities with Food Cheshire West web page. HAF Cheshire West – Edsential

Please note all activities must be booked in advance.

If you can if you would please share with families of pupils eligible the attached Poster in relation to the programme

The Council, alongside Edsentials and a range of community partners, are running a wide range of fun activities for four days of the school Easter holiday.

HAF is a national programme, funded by the government’s Department for Education, for children from reception to year 11 inclusive who are on benefits-related free school meals and is available to eligible pupils if their parents claim has been verified by their school or local authority.

https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals

Edsential Community Interest Company is working with 40 organisations, including schools, community, voluntary and faith sector organisations to organise 59 holiday activity clubs throughout the borough this Easter.

Each eligible child will be provided with a good quality nutritious meal, plus there will be a variety of opportunities for children and young people to take part in exciting physical activities such as dodgeball, dance, archery, karate, rugby, football, and even a ‘Mini Olympics’. There will also be a diverse array of enrichment activities too including mindfulness, forest school, den building, campfire cooking sessions, drama, storytelling, art, and puppetry.

The Youth Service Programme for 11–16-year-olds (up to 25 for our SEND children and young people) will include a trip out for each provision. These provisions include bowling, ice skating, Chester Zoo, Goals Chester, as well as events being arranged within clubs, Easter Bingo, Army assault courses, Graffiti Art and yoga.

Brio Leisure will be offering lots of activities including Sports camps at Neston Recreation Centre for 5 – 12 year olds, performing arts at Northwich Memorial Court for 5 – 10 year olds, and fun floats, sports, and craft SEND sessions, available at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, Winsford Lifestyle Centre and Northwich Memorial Court for young people aged 5 – 18 years.

Provision for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) who are eligible through benefits-related free school meals is being offered, with some providers additionally able to offer paid for places for those not eligible based on the guidance to attend their HAF programmes. This is in addition to other programmes being offered by providers more widely and we are encouraging families to check with mainstream providers who may be able to provide support and be able for them to attend and offer places.

The SEND-specific offer will include sessions such as multi-sports, fun floats and swimming offered by Brio CIC, as well as provisions offering the chance to attend Chester Zoo, mini-mindfulness sessions for children and their families, a visit to a petting zoo, circus skills workshops, assisted sport (dodgeball / tennis), and sensory activities, (Lego/art).

If you have any questions, please email HAF@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk